Surroundings

Surroundings

The Reserve of Urdaibai is important because of its exceptional ecological value along the Cantabrian coast.

Some atractive sites of the region are the caves of Santimamiñe, the island of Izaro and the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe apart from the tradicional fishing villages Bermeo and Elantxobe.
The neigbourhood of Kanpantxu is situated very near the pilgrim's path of the coast to Santiago de Compostela and is the center for many walks and hiking trails. The guest house Astobieta offers information about them. Here we present a selection of tours around Urdaibai.

Excursions

Roundtrip KanpantxuThis walk is very popular amongst native people, who do it daily. One can start from Astobieta and return to it after an hour’s walk.

Walk to the Holm OakA 2 hour’s walk, starting from Astobieta, to the unique holm oak: Situated in the neighbouring village Muxika the tree can give shelter to some 100 cows.

Cape OgoñoThis impressive calcareous rock rises almost vertically from the sea between the beach of Laga and the fishing village Elantxobe. From the top the view is spectacular over the sea with the fishing villages Mundaka and Bermeo as well as the mountain line inland.

Oiz MountainFor the lovers of mountaineering this is an obligatory tour of some 5 km. From the top the highest mountains can be seen in the south, the limiting province of Gipuzkoa in the east and the estuary of the river of Bilbao in the west.

The Caves of Santimamiñe and the Painted Forest of OmaThe caves bear rupestrian paintings and the pine forest has been provided with paintings by Agustin Ibarrola.

The heart of the biosphere of UrdaibaiBy train, bus or car the section between Gernika and Bermeo gives beautiful view across the estuary, the typical forests of the region and the little beaches which invite the visitor to take a walk or even a bath.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe One of the most fascinating places in the area, it is an island that is connected to the mainland by a bridge of two arches. There is located the chapel dedicated to St. John X.-century.

Fisherfolk It is interesting to make the trip to the beautiful fishing villages such as Ea, Elantxobe or Bermeo, in which, even today, remains the seafaring tradition.

Bermeo

Elantxobe

Ea